Two German citizens and two close relatives have been permitted to leave the Gaza Strip, according to a spokesperson for the German Foreign Office, speaking to “Der Spiegel”. The departure occurred in close coordination with Israeli authorities.
The group is being transported by bus through Israel and the West Bank to Jordan. From there, they are scheduled to continue their journey to Germany via commercial flights.
According to “Der Spiegel”, the individuals are expected to exit the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, controlled by Israel and enter Jordan via the Allenby Bridge – the sole crossing to the West Bank. They are part of a broader group of Western nationals granted permission to leave the area.
A low double-digit number of individuals, including citizens from Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia and Japan, are expected to be evacuated.
The German government remains actively engaged in efforts to secure the release of German citizens still held in Gaza, a spokesperson confirmed, emphasizing the government’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of German nationals.
“According to the German government’s understanding, only a very small number of Germans with their families remain in the Gaza Strip” the spokesperson added. “The German government is continuously working towards their departure”. Consular support has been provided to the departing individuals by German foreign missions in Ramallah and Amman. “Der Spiegel” reports that a low single-digit number of German citizens currently remain within the Gaza Strip.
